The impact of dementia is being felt worldwide at this time, with the number of individuals being diagnosed with some form of this debilitating condition expected to continue to rise exponentially over the next generation.  While the focus tends to be on those who are directly affected, dementia care has a profound impact on families, communities, and the social structures and care systems that surround these individuals.

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Utilizing a blend of didactic instruction, case-based learning, reflective exercises, and discussion of the material in small groups, this training module will explore the unique issues and needs of individuals and families that navigate the losses that accompany a diagnosis of dementia, including the experience of ambiguous loss, the unique ways that grief manifests, and the impact of having to navigate social structures and care systems that may be inadequate to meet the needs of individuals with dementia and their loved ones.  Learners will explore ways to support people with dementia across various stages, consider compassion-based communication and therapeutic skills, identify the influence of social messaging on dementia care, and integrate compassion-based practices for family members as well as professionals. 

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Note:  This 3-hour CE module focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Identify the unique issues and needs of individuals and families that are affected by a diagnosis of dementia;

• Summarize the unique experience of ambiguous loss and grief in relation to situations where dementia is present;

• Apply specific compassion-based practices in the support of individuals with dementia and their loved ones; and

• Describe the specific ways that social messaging has an impact on individuals with dementia and their loved ones.

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Note:  Attendance of this Live Online Training session confers credit of 1 Techniques Module required for Certification in Grief Therapy Non-Death Losses or Certification in Family-Focused Grief Therapy.

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COURSE PACK PROVIDES

• A PDF copy of the presentation slides; 

• A series of reflective writing exercises; and

• A list of resources for further study and references.

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TARGET AUDIENCE

• Psychologists, social workers, counselors, art / music / expressive arts therapists, pastoral care personnel, healthcare professionals, bereavement volunteers

• To qualify for the 3 CE Credits, please kindly note that:

  • Full attendance of the entire session is required to receive CE credits.  No partial credit is awarded.

  • You are required to complete a CE quiz after the session.  An overall score of 75% or higher within three attempts is required to obtain CE credits.  The certificate of CE credits will then be issued to you.

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INSTRUCTIONAL LEVEL

• Intermediate

 

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

This program contains the following segments:

• Diagnosis of Dementia:  Changing Demographics (15 min.)

• From Principles to Practice:  A Case Study (15 min.)

• Social Messaging:  Social Norms and Their Impacts on Health Care (20 min.) ​

• Dementia From the Inside Out:  Video and Small Group Discussions (30 min.)

• Ambiguous Loss:  Unique Features (20 min.)

• All in the Family:  Grief and Care Decisions (20 min.)

• Suffering and Compassion in Dementia:  Personal and Professional Dimensions (30 min.)

• Reframing in Dementia Care:  The Role of Self-Compassion (20 min.)

• Wrapping It Up:  Conclusion and Q&A (10 min.)

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WEBINAR TIMING

• 9am-12pm, PST, Portland, OR, that corresponds to 12-3pm in Eastern Time, 4-7pm in Greenwich Mean Time and 5-8pm in Central European Time.

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Note:  The Zoom link and learning materials will be emailed to the registrants in due course.

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Disclosure Statement

This module is not supported financially by a manufacturer of any commercial product and there is no sale of any product or publication during the live training session.  There is no known conflict of interest for this CE module or the presenting faculty.